OXNARD, Calif. - The Dallas Cowboys don't like to phrase it this way, but the reality is they took a chance on Deuce Vaughn in the 2023 NFL Draft. Sure, he's a versatile ball-carrier with credentials. But he stands at just 5-5, and while he's stoutly-built - well, as stout as a 5-5 guy can be at 175 pounds - his lack of size figures to be an obstacle.
Eventually, anyway, as the Cowboys won't put on the pads here at training camp in Oxnard until Monday.
Watching him in person here at camp, there is an obvious explosiveness, though. And on video? The Kansas State product overtook Twitter on Friday when users said he looked "like a toddler broke loose on the field."
That seems ... impolite. But we get it. A 7-5 basketball player is going to get noticed. See Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs rookie. A pitcher who hits home runs is going to get noticed. See Shohei Ohtani.
Deuce, son of Cowboys' assistant director of college scouting Chris Vaughn, was drafted in the sixth round ... another example of his climb, as he was just a three-star out of high school. Sources have told CowboysSI.com that they do not intend to cut him. That could mean he wins the No. 2 job behind Tony Pollard (unlikely), or that he's the third back, or that he gets stashed.
But he's a good bet to get a job here this year ... and yes, his journey to the NFL is an inspiring one. And Deuce is inspired by being here.
"Being a professional athlete is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid. To be out here, to be playing with guys who have been in this league for so long, just trying to soak it all in, trying to be a sponge," he said.
While in college, Vaughn rushed for 3,604 yards and logged 1,280 yards receiving for 4,884 total yards of production and 43 combined touchdowns.
Drawing comparisons to Darren Sproles, he became a star in the college ranks and fulfilled his dream of playing professional football, garnering plenty of praise this offseason.
"Every single day is a day to get better. It’s been a dream come true. Understanding that the work is still to be put in, but, man, I’m having a great time," Vaughn said.
And we're having a great time watching him ... a "toddler'' with a chance to perform alongside the big boys.
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